Radical Hamas Cheers New Islamist President in Egypt

The Gaza Strip’s governing Hamas on Sunday welcomed the victory of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt’s presidential vote, saying its ideological success would help the Palestinian cause.

The impoverished enclave burst into celebration upon hearing that the Muslim Brotherhood’s Mohamed Morsi had won elections held after former president Mubarak fell to a people’s revolt last year.

Locked in a long power-struggle with its secular Palestinian rivals, Hamas had a mixed relationship with the previous, U.S.-aligned Egyptian president, who supported Israel’s blockade on Gaza.

“We will look to Egypt to play a big, leading role, a historic role, regarding the Palestinian cause, in helping the Palestinian nation get freedom, return home, and totally end the Gaza siege,” Ismail Haniyeh, head of the Hamas government, told Reuters Television.